Love Always
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, please help me to love other people. I know I am to love as You love, but it is so difficult. Please help my heart to soften so I can love more.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
REFLECT:
God knows everything and His timing is perfect. I am far from perfect, but God loves me like He loves everyone, even when I struggle to love others like he calls me to.
I am a teacher and I am working with the most difficult student of my career. Just yesterday we had the worst incident of the year take place during class. At this point my human feelings are that I’m done and want nothing more to do with this kid. Then comes an email. He is sharing with me about a new movie that relates to stuff we addressed in class and wants to be sure I knew about. This is a lost kid who is reaching out. My human self wants to either ignore him or reply by telling him to leave me alone. The saved me knows there is a better way.
I will respond to this student. I will thank him for thinking of me and sharing the movie information. I will say something encouraging to try to motivate him to complete his schoolwork. I will wish him a good day. I will respond with love. Not because I feel like it, but because God loved me first.
APPLY:
Hurt people hurt people. It’s a terrible cycle. While it’s not always easy, and sometimes it even feels wrong, responding with love is always right. Chances are you will feel better even if nothing else comes of it. But just as hurt people often go on to hurt others, loved people have a tendency to love. More love is good.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you Jesus for loving us always, no matter what. We don’t deserve your love and yet you give it infinitely. My today and my forever are better because of you!
WORSHIP: